I'm having the similar problem except I did not catch a cold. I suspected when I was having a bath some water got in. Its been six days now and I have got era drops "AQUAEAR" to dry up the fluid. It did help for 36hrs but the echo came back. I will have to seek a specialist advice soon.

Claire and Robbie
I have something very similar. Have muffled hearing and can hear high pitched sounds and voices echo in my left ear. Can also hear my own voice echoing in my head. Have no real pain and have not have any cold or sinus problems. It seemed to come on very suddenly. What happened with you two? Did it go away on its own or did you have to get treatment. (Doctor has referred me to a ENT clinic but have 7 week wait!! )
Would be good to 'hear' what happened to you...

Claire and Robbie
I have something very similar. Have muffled hearing and can hear high pitched sounds and voices echo in my left ear. Can also hear my own voice echoing in my head. Have no real pain and have not have any cold or sinus problems. It seemed to come on very suddenly. What happened with you two? Did it go away on its own or did you have to get treatment. (Doctor has referred me to a ENT clinic but have 7 week wait!! )
Would be good to 'hear' what happened to you...

I had the same thing, got a fever overnight and a bad cold to go with it. The next morning I pretty much couldn't hear out of that ear with the exception of a bit of an echo sound from high pitched noises. Went to the doc and was told it was an ear infection and given antibiotics, they lasted a week but the problem stayed. I went back and was told I have a perforation in my eardrum. Apparently I've just got to wait it out that it should get better on its own as long as I don't get it wet.

How long did it take for you guys to get better I miss surfing :( also bit worried about the extent of hearing loss I can't hear a thing out of my left ear except those high pitched echo's.

Just read all of your complaints about muffled hearing... muffled hearing usually occurs when you've a cold due to either fluid in the middle ear or due to ear blockage/fullness.it usually subsides with cold. Do not blow by pinching your ears it may cause damage to your ear drum instead try swallowing or yawning like you've to do it when you r in flight when your ears r blocked...

Selin Basheer
Audiologist & Speech Therapist
ENT Sleep Well Clinic
Noor Specialist Hospital
Kingdom of Bahrain

It is now February 2012 and I just experienced what you all did. I just got over two back to back (or maybe it was the same strain) of a sinus infection and now my right ear is muffled and I hear my own voice echo in my head. There is no pain associated with this. I'm looking for answers and this Web Page is the closest thing I could find. I do admit the night before this muffle symptom started I did try to clear my ears after blowing my nose and the Left ear popped, but the right didn't. It still feels like it needs to pop. Now on day 2 I can sometimes hear a tiny pop here or there. What is strange is that I can successfully clear my ears, but I'm still left with the muffled sound in the Right ear and I'm still experiencing some sinus pressure. I can only assume that I might have caused a little damage to my ear drum the night I tried to pop my ears. Thank you to those who wrote in before me to share your experiences, I felt like I was the only one.

HI,

I have found this site because I am looking for advice for a very similar problem.

I have add an ear infection and a heavy cough and cold fro the past 1 1/2 weeks, which I have just completed a weeks course of pencillian.
I have been left a blocked right ear, where the infection was, but now ths evening I have started hearing echoes when I was talking with my family.

I can hear their voices as a secondary echo which is in the background but at a higher pitch. Alsmost like a squeeky doctor who dalek sort of noise.

I am worried I amy have this forever.

Did this go away for you? I think I have the exact issue you are having.

I am having the same issue but with no cold, sinus infection, or anything associated with it. It is in my right ear and comes in and out randomly. I have cleaned my ear out completely but it is still there. I can hear myself breath! It is very annoying and distracting. I can not figure out the cause or solution for this. Please help!

Look up... Patulous eustation tube dysfunction

I have the same issue of having an echo in my ear; and drainage from my sinus into my throat. I too have seen an ENT; and I had to wait for 2 weeks (he thought it as allergies) and perscribed NASONEX.

I have exactly what everyone is describing. I attend a lot of band gigs and being too close to the amplifiers has caused this condition. Won't be able to see an ENT until Sept 20 but will report what he subscribes.